Arsenal vs Manchester City Preview

Premier league returns this weekend as Arsenal welcome Champions Manchester City at the Emirates this weekend. 12.45 kick off isn’t auspicious to say the least but what better way to buck the trend by scoring half a dozen against City. The Gunners dismantled City with ease in the Community Shield and although the Community Shield is only a glorified friendly, we should take nothing away from Arsenal, they were simply too much for City that day. The Citizens suffered a shock home defeat to Stoke before the international break and they would want to right the wrongs against Arsenal. On the other hand it would be interesting to watch how Arsene Wenger’s men respond to their dispiriting draw against Leicester City. Will both teams come out with all their guns blazing and play a thriller of a game or play out a dour mourinhoesque stalemate? urgh.

ARSENAL

Arsenal’s deadline day signing Danny Welbeck will feature at some point in the game and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t start. However don’t rule out Arsene starting Sanogo and bringing on Welbz in the 70th minute as a replacement for the Frenchman. It would be just typical Arsene. All eyes will be on Welbeck and his performance will set the tone for the match and having grown up as a United fan, there is no better motivation than facing City on your debut. Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal channelised his inner Mourinho and made a rather classless remark about Welbeck after he was criticized for selling the Englishman to a direct rival. I am not gonna bother one bit about what Van Gaal said, Danny Welbeck is an Arsenal man now and I will judge him only on how he performs for us. In terms of team news, it is quite positive at the moment. Ozil, Arteta, Gibbs all are available, Ramsey is a doubt and even if he doesn’t feature, the injury isn’t serious, so no worries. Abou Diaby may return to first team action this month. Fingers crossed.

MANCHESTER CITY

The Citizens will want to get back on track after their chastening home defeat against Stoke City. They dropped three vital points and although the season is just a month old, they will have to make up for that three points. Pellegrini’s side were given a hammering the last time we met them but I seriously doubt the effect it will have on this game. City’s strength is their attack and although they have sent Negredo out on loan to Valencia, they have quite the strikeforce in Aguero, Dzeko, Jovetic and Toure. Jovetic is a major doubt, Zabaletta and Kompany are fit to start. The midfield battle will be interesting and who partners Toure will be key. The Ivorian doesn’t really track back and City could be outnumbered in the centre if Cazorla, Ozil and Sanchez take advantage of the situation. Easier said than done. Ah, almost forgot, Sagna could face us for the first time since he left.